Sonoma County Winegrape Commission

The bounty of the Sonoma County harvest is heading for Chicago this fall, giving consumers a unique opportunity to taste just-picked winegrapes and attend events showcasing the wines and artisanal products from one of the most beloved and picturesque wine regions of the world.

The first Sonoma Harvest Celebration event is “Taste of Sonoma,” an educational seminar on September 10. Noted Winegrower Jim Murphy of Murphy Vineyards and legendary Winemaker Joel Peterson of Ravenswood Winery will take consumers on a sensory trip through Sonoma County by sampling winegrapes, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Then, veteran Sonoma Wine Country Chef Bruce Riezenman, owner of Park Avenue Catering, will conduct an innovative interactive food and wine pairing session.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy a stellar lineup of wines paired specifically with numerous dishes featuring Sonoma County products created by Chef Riezenman with support from Michael Fusano, the executive chef at the recently renovated historic Allerton Hotel and its signature restaurant, M Avenue.

On September 11, consumers will have the opportunity to attend the Sonoma Harvest Feast Dinner, a six-course extravaganza of fine wine and food prepared by Riezenman and assisted by Fusano and his culinary staff.

Sonoma in Chicago Restaurant Week

During the Sonoma in Chicago week, Sept. 8-14, 10 of Chicago’s top restaurants, such as Spring, Le Lan, Les Nomades, Lula Café, Table Fifty-two, and Avenue M will highlight wines from Sonoma County for their guests to enjoy. For every bottle of Sonoma wine that the restaurants sells, the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and Sonoma County Vintners will donate $3 to Common Threads, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to helping children discover the world through food.

Proceeds from Taste of Sonoma and the Sonoma Harvest Feast Dinner will also benefit Common Threads. Chefs Riezenman and Fusano will teach a class on Sonoma County harvest cuisine for children in the Common Threads program on September 9.

Additionally on September 11, trade and media representatives will be invited to attend a harvest report wine seminar and harvest lunch. All the events will be held at The Allerton Hotel Chicago, 701 N. Michigan Ave. The Allerton recently underwent a $12 million renovation, making the updated and timeless beauty an ideal venue to present Chicago with the splendor of Sonoma wines and products.

“It is only fitting that we celebrate this year’s harvest in Chicago which has become a world class restaurant city that appreciates the dedication and hard work that goes into producing premium wines and indigenous products,” says Larry Levine, vice president of marketing and communications for the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission which represents 1,800 growers that supply winegrapes to more that 350 wineries.

“Our goal is to show the county’s amazing diversity from start to finish. We will have winegrapes from varieties and regions within the county — celebrated areas such as the Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys, and up-and-coming regions such as Rockpile and Knights Valley. We will also showcase a bounty of wonderful foods from Sonoma County—from seafood caught in the Pacific Ocean to cheeses and produce from specialty farms throughout the county.”

Details for Sonoma Harvest Celebration Chicago follow. Reservations for all the festivities open to the public can be made at SonomaInChicago.com

Taste of Sonoma: Food-and-Wine Pairing Seminar, $65
September 10, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Allerton Hotel
Winegrape grower Jim Murphy, and Ravenswood Winemaker Joel Peterson will take participants on a wine and food journey through Sonoma County, tasting a variety of freshly picked grapes from the region. Then noted Sonoma Chef Bruce Riezenman, who has created memorable celebrations for Wine Country’s best wineries with his Park Avenue Catering Company, will present a fun and insightful food and wine pairing segment. Finally, Chef Riezenman, with the support of Michael Fusano, the executive chef at the Allerton Hotel and its signature restaurant, M Avenue, will present a plethora of small dishes incorporating ingredients from Sonoma County with wines to match.

Sonoma Harvest Feast Dinner, $125
September 11, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Allerton Hotel
Chef Bruce Riezenman, assisted by Chef Michael Fusano and his culinary staff, will present a bountiful six-course harvest-themed dinner while Murphy and Peterson lead guests in a tasting of some of Sonoma County's best wines, from Green Valley sparkling wine and Russian River Valley Chardonnay, to Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Media and Trade Seminar and Luncheon (invitation only – to RSVP, please refer to media contacts below)
September 11, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Allerton Hotel
Jim Murphy and Joel Peterson will present a 2008 harvest report and lead trade and media through a tasting of just-picked winegrapes. A three-course harvest lunch prepared by Chefs Bruce Riezenman and Michael Fusano will follow.

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Presented by the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, the Sonoma Harvest Celebration in Chicago showcases the wine and food of Sonoma County. Sonoma was one of the first places in the United States to grow premium quality winegrapes and make European-style wines commercially beginning in 1857. Other wine pioneers soon followed, establishing vineyards and wineries elsewhere in Sonoma County and throughout California. Today, Sonoma County is comprised of one million acres of small towns, back roads, lush nature, beautiful vineyards, and a wide variety of climates, terrains, and soil types. The Sonoma County Tourism Bureau and Sonoma County Vintners are promotional partners for this celebration with the historic Allerton Hotel Chicago as host and sponsor for the festivities.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Click on the email address below or call
Laura Yee, LY Media
773 784.8490

OR

Larry Levine, Sonoma County Winegrape Commission
707 522.5863
Larry.Levine@sonomawinegrape.org

Press Release Sonoma Harvest Celebration (DOC)

The Robert Young family of Alexander Valley was awarded the 2008 Viticulture Award of Excellence from The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) at the group’s annual BBQ June 27. Additionally, the Latino agricultural community recognized Mark Houser, Peter Hayward and Maria Fincher for their contributions to various vineyard employee educational and social programs.

SCWC annually presents the Viticulture Award of Excellence to recognize individuals or families who have made significant contributions to SCWC, to Sonoma County viticulture, and the greater wine and local communities.

The Robert Young family deserves this honor for their many contributions to the grape growing community locally and in California. The Young’s have been innovators in Sonoma County viticulture in such areas as vertical trellising, narrow-row spacing, new pruning techniques, diversity of rootstock usage, innovative integrated pest management, and grapevine canopy management. The Young family calls its vineyard system “growing a balanced wine.”

“It is a great honor to receive this year’s award,” says Jim Young, winery owner and vineyard manager. “We are proud to farm alongside the many growers that continually strive to sustainably preserve and protect our county’s agricultural heritage and diversity.”

Little did the Young family know that they would become famous in the California wine industry when Peter Young, followed his two older brothers Michael and George to California from upstate New York in the 1850s to make their fortune in the Gold Rush. After some success in that business, they bought property in the Alexander Valley. Peter left California in 1862 and went to the gold fields of Oregon, eventually returning to New York and then back to California to buy his own 210-acre uncultivated ranch in the Alexander Valley.

Peter then cleared the land and planted prune trees and pasture land on the hillsides. When Peter died in 1914, the ranch was divided into three farms, one of which went to Silas Young, Robert Young’s father. In 1919, Robert Young was born and grew up in the Alexander Valley, learning the farming business. Silas died at the young age of 51 in 1935, while Robert was still in high school. With the financial help of a relative, he was able to get a bank loan for the $70,000 note on the property.

Three years after graduating from Healdsburg High, Robert married his high school sweetheart, Gertrude, in 1940. The next generation of the Young family soon followed, including Fred, Susan, JoAnn and Jim.

In the 1960s, the premium winegrape business in Sonoma County was just beginning to take off. In 1963, Robert planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Alexander Valley – 6,500 vines on 14 acres. He always understood the importance of research and experimentation and even at this time when most vines were head-pruned, he suspected that trellising vines would produce higher quality fruit. Robert planted his first Chardonnay in 1967. In 1976, Chateau St. Jean put the name of this vineyard on its Chardonnay. This vineyard designation was the first in the United States.

In the following years, the family pulled up the prune orchards, acquired and planted more vineyards. Today Robert Young Vineyards cultivates 14 premium varieties on more than 300 acres of bench land and hillside vineyards. Jim Young earned a degree in Viticulture at U.C. Davis and his brother Fred Young was the driving force in the creation of the Robert Young Winery. Sisters Joann and Susan also work in the family business in the marketing and hospitality areas. The fifth generation of the Young family can already be seen working in the vineyards and the winery.

In 157 years, the Young Family has helped shape Sonoma County as one of the finest wine producing areas in the world. As Robert Young has stated, “We are blessed to live on farmland that is very, very special,” he says. “I hope that what we have now will never be abused; that future generations will treat the land well and understand that, by being generous, the land will continue to grow whatever we wish for it to grow.”

Editor’s note: A high-resolution photo of Jim and Robert Young can be downloaded by clicking the image below *photo by Nick Frey

Latino Community Awards

At the SCWC BBQ, the Latino agricultural community honored the following people for their contributions to vineyard employees’ educational and social programs.

Mark Houser of Hoot Owl Vineyards is being recognized for his leadership in organizing, judging and raising prize money, along with Chuck Hussey, to support vineyard employees in Alexander Valley. Those efforts have provided more than $20,000 to vineyard employees who have competed in the Alexander Valley and Sonoma County pruning contests.

Mark is committed to supporting his employees through competitive wages, a comprehensive benefits program, training and education, and housing support with worker housing on the ranch and two employees who now own their homes through sweat equity programs.

Peter Hayward of Los Chamizal Vineyard is being recognized for his leadership in providing employee housing in Sonoma Valley. Peter has served on the board of Vineyard Worker Services for 15 years and was instrumental in securing land for the Springs Housing Units built by Burbank Housing. The 80-unit complex includes 24 units dedicated to agricultural workers. Peter also secured sites and trailers for employee housing during harvest each year. In 2008, Vineyard Worker Services has done outreach to vineyard owners and managers to insure employers are aware of the programs and services available through Vineyard Worker Services.

Peter’s commitment to employee housing extends to his own ranch. He provides housing at cost or a housing allowance to his employees, including free housing on the ranch during harvest. His dedication to his employees’ well being included supporting his ranch foreman who was severely injured in an ATV accident. After two years of rehabilitation, he resumed his work on the ranch.

Maria Fincher of Univision Television is being recognized for her lifetime of dedicated service to the Latino Community. Maria came to the United States with her family as a child and began working in vineyards and orchards to earn money for her school clothes. After obtaining a Medical Assistant certificate from Santa Rosa Junior College, she worked in healthcare for 21 years while also volunteering on weekends at a radio broadcasting station. That ultimately resulted in Maria becoming Station Manager for Univision Santa Rosa in 2001.

Under Maria’s leadership, Univision has filmed the Sonoma County Pruning Championships for a number of years, creating a video on the event and those vineyard employees in the contest that was distributed nationally. Maria is a true friend of the Latino Community and of the Sonoma County Pruning Championships.

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. For more information about SCWC and its programs, visit www.sonomawinegrape.org.

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The winners of the 2008 Sonoma County Wine Stars was announced at the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission’s annual BBQ on May 27. The Wine Star program was developed in 2007 to recognize Sonoma County restaurants and wineries that are committed to supporting Sonoma County winegrape growers and promoting Sonoma County’s premier wine and food regions and products.

In 2008, the Sonoma County Wine Star program was expanded to include all Northern California with different selection criteria for restaurants in Sonoma County from those outside the area. In Sonoma County, restaurants were stars that had wine lists with at least 50 percent or 50 Sonoma County wines. Four-star restaurants were those restaurants dedicating 75 percent or 100 of its wine lists to Sonoma County wines. For restaurants outside Sonoma County, wine stars had at least 25 Sonoma County wines and 50 wines for four-star honors.

Sonoma County Wine Star wineries must display “Sonoma” on their wine labels. This includes Sonoma County either alone or in addition to American Viticulture Area. Brands with Sonoma in the name also must be produced from at least 75% Sonoma County grapes and were recognized this year.
“The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was created to better promote Sonoma County grapes and the wines they produce,” said Nick Frey, commission president. “Wineries and restaurants can support us in that promotion by including Sonoma County on wine labels, and by providing restaurant patrons with a Sonoma County wine and food experience when dining at their establishments. These wineries and restaurants are truly Sonoma County Wine Stars to local growers who depend upon the sale of Sonoma County wines to sustain agriculture here for generations to come.”

Four-Star Restaurants

Applewood Inn, Guernville
Bluewater Bistro, Bodega Bay
Boulevard Restaurant, San Francisco
Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar, Sonoma
Cena Luna Restaurant, Healdsburg
Cricklewood, Larkfield
Cyrus Restaurant, Healdsburg
El Dorado Kitchen, Sonoma
Epic Roadhouse, San Francisco
Farm House Inn and Restaurant, Forestville
Fifth Floor Restaurant , San Francisco
GTOs Seafood House, Sebastopol
Harris' Steakhouse, San Francisco
Healdsburg Bar and Grill, Healdsburg
Hotel Healdsburg /Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg
John Ash & Co., Santa Rosa
La Toque Restaurant, Napa
Lark Creek Inn, Larkspur
Manzanita, Healdsburg
Meritage-Martini Oyster Bar & Grill, Sonoma
Noonan's Bar & Grill, Larkspur
Pizzio's Cucina Italiana, Santa Rosa
Postrio Restaurant, San Francisco
Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club, Santa Rosa
Sante Restaurant, Sonoma
Sassafras Restaurant & Bar, Santa Rosa
Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant, Sea Ranch
The Brasserie, Santa Rosa
The Firehouse Restaurant, Sacramento
Village Inn & Restaurant, Monte Rio
Waterbar, San Francisco
Wildfox Restaurant, Novato
Willi's Seafood, Healdsburg
Wolf House Restaurant, Glen Ellen

Star Restaurants

Bistro Des Copains, Occidental
Blackhawk Grille, Danville
Café Europe Restaurant and Catering, Santa Rosa
Ella Dining Room & Bar, Sacramento
Equus Restaurant, Santa Rosa
Farallon, San Francisco
Hopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol
Josef's Restaurant & Bar, Santa Rosa
Langleys on the Green, Windsor
Mason's at the Park, Sacramento
Monti's Rotisserie & Bar, Santa Rosa
Northwood Restaurant, Monte Rio
Pazzo, Petaluma
Restaurant at Madrona Manor, Healdsburg
River's End Restaurant and Inn, Jenner
Scala's Bistro, San Francisco
Terrace Grille, Santa Rosa
Upper Fourth Bar & Lounge, Santa Rosa
Willi's Wine Bar, Santa Rosa
Zazu, Santa Rosa

Star Wineries

Acorn
Balletto Vineyards
Camellia Cellars
Chandelle of Sonoma
Christie Estate Winery & Vineyards
DaVero Sonoma
Elements of Sonoma
Forchini Vineyards & Winery
Gopfrich Winery
Hawley Wines
Highway 12 Winery
Hughes Family Vineyards
Lake Sonoma Winery
MacLeod Family Vineyard
Magito Wines
Mazzocco Vineyards
Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery
Montemaggiore
Mounts Family Winery
Papapietro Perry Winery
Puccioni Vineyards
Quaking Hills Winery
Raymond Burr Vineyards
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Rued Winery
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Sebastiani Vineyards
Simoneau Vineyards
Sonoma Coast Vineyards
Sonoma Creek Vineyards
Sonoma Vineyards
Sonoma-Cutrer
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Stryker Sonoma
Super Sonoman
Windsor Oaks Vineyards & Winery
Windsor Sonoma

For 2009, any restaurant in the United States or winery meeting the Sonoma County Wine Star criteria are eligible for recognition next year. Go to www.sonomawinegrape.org/winestar for more information.

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. For more information about SCWC and its programs, visit www.SonomaWinegrape.org

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Growers are acutely aware that grape surpluses are not good for the industry. They may be good for consumers who are able to purchase higher quality wines at very attractive prices. But their savings mean someone is losing money – either growers who receive unsustainably low prices or wineries who write down expensive inventories and sell bulk wine at a loss.

Grape shortages mean good times for grape growers, but those too are not good for the industry. As prices for grapes and wines increase, imports become more competitive than they already are. Domestic producers lose market share and hope that some of that loss will be offset by increasing wine consumption nationally.

Turrentine Brokerage’s publication, The Turrentine Outlook: Forecasts and Strategies for a Competitive Advantage, describes this all-too-predictable cycle. Recent market activity shows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are in the emerging shortage part of the cycle, with Pinot Noir entering the acute shortage phase. Cabernet Sauvignon has entered the emerging shortage phase where grape demand is strong and prices are strengthening. Merlot surpluses are also disappearing and new buying is occurring. The continued grafting of Merlot to other varieties will further shrink supplies as demand increases. Pinot Gris demand is also very strong, but the market is very limited today at the higher price points.

The recent frost will further strengthen the market by reducing 2008 grape supplies at a time of increasing demand.

I discussed the current market situation for growers with Brian Clements. Brian commented, “As the market improves, many growers hasten to sell their grapes without adequate consideration of the long term prospects. This kind of market, however, provides a rare opportunity for growers to find not just a good home but to find the best long term partners for their grapes. The decisions they make now will have huge, long term impacts on their businesses. Turrentine Brokerage helps growers to make sure they have arrived at the best decisions, based on good strategic thinking and the best information available.” Turrentine Brokerage can be reached at 415-209-9463 or by calling Brian Clements directly at 707-495-8151.

The Commission advertising campaigns in trade magazines and a direct mail piece are also directing winemakers and grape buyers to the Grape Marketplace and to the Wine Map. Growers who have listed their grapes on those sites report having received inquiries for buyers and grape brokers. While the Commission cannot sell grapes for you, we are providing useful tools and advertising support to help you sell your grapes. If you need technical support to list your vineyard and fruit on either site, it is available. Call Ginger Baker, 707-522-5864 for the Grape Marketplace and make an appointment at the Map Store in Windsor, Monday – Friday, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., for assistance in listing your vineyard and grapes on the Wine Map. These tools will only have value to grape buyers and winemakers if they are able to identify sources of needed grape when they visit the sites.

We will not be able to assess the potential impacts of the frost until after set. I know many vineyards have been affected to some degree. Hopefully fruit set will be good and you will be able to supply the market with sufficient Sonoma County grapes and wine in 2008 to satisfy future consumer demands and to blunt the growth of imports.

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission Annual Grower BBQ and Tradeshow on Friday, June 27, 2008, from 8:30 am until to 2:00 pm, at the Warren G. Dutton Pavilion, Shone Farm, 6225 Eastside Road., Forestville.

To learn more, please view this page

Nominations for Commissioner will soon close. Six current Commissioners or Alternates will be standing for re-election and there are 4 open positions.

If you are interested in running or if you can recommend a nominee (with their consent), please download attached form and submit it this week.

For questions, please contact Nick Frey at 707-522-5861 email by clicking here

April 22, 2008 Santa Rosa, Calif. – The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) is looking to honor restaurants and wineries that are committed to supporting the efforts of the 1,800 Sonoma County winegrape growers. Created in 2007, the Sonoma Wine Star Program was initially open to wineries and restaurants in Sonoma County. This year due to its success, it will be expanded to restaurants and wineries in the greater Bay Area from Napa to Carmel to San Jose to Sacramento. For award criteria, visit www.SonomaWineGrape.org/winestar. Deadline to enter is May 13, 2008. Note: 2007 Sonoma Wine Stars must enter in 2008 to retain their star status.

For wineries, Sonoma County Wine Stars must display “Sonoma County” on 95 percent of front wine labels in addition to American Viticulture Area (AVA) and/or vineyard designated wines.

For restaurants in Sonoma County, Sonoma County Wine Stars are restaurants that have 25 wines or more of which at least 50 percent or 50 are Sonoma County wines on their wine lists. Those restaurants dedicating 75 percent or 100 wines on its wine lists to Sonoma County wines, will be given four-star recognition.

Restaurants outside Sonoma County, must have 25 Sonoma County wines on their wine lists to be a Wine Star and 50 Sonoma County wines for four-star status.

Winners will be announced at the SCWC annual BBQ lunch in June at the Dutton Pavilion at Shone Farms. There will be recognition for the 2008 Sonoma Wine Stars in local and national ads, publicity and listings on the SCWC website and other Sonoma County tourism and wine websites with links to the restaurants and wineries.

“We are pleased to promote those restaurants and wineries who offer consumers a broad selection of Sonoma County wines,” says Nick Frey SCWC president. “Businesses in the Star Program help us spread the exceptional Sonoma County food and wine experience to consumers.”

Listing of the current Sonoma Wine Stars can be viewed at www.SonomaWineGrape.org.

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. For more information about SCWC and its programs, visit www.sonomawinegrape.org

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It’s Wage and Benefit Survey time again! Since 1980 Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS®) has been conducting this Wage and Benefit Survey. Starting in 2005, Howard Rosenberg, PhD, UC Extension Ag Labor Management Specialist became a partner in the survey. Howard has provided FELS with technical assistance in the form of fine tuning the survey form, overseeing an online database and reviewing the tabulated data. His involvement has greatly enhanced the reliability of the survey results.

As in past years, Sonoma County Winegrape Commission will participate in this year’s survey.

Attached is a camera-ready copy of this year’s survey form. Another Acrobat (PDF) formatted file is attached containing a fill-in version of the survey form.

Growers, please return the completed form to us by May 1, 2008.

The Ultimate Wine and Food Adventure

March 18, 2008, Santa Rosa, Calif. - Sonoma County Grape Camp, a behind-the-scenes three-day wine and food adventure, is designed to explore the fine craft of taking winegrapes from the vineyard to the bottle and more.

Produced by Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and Relish Culinary School, this event offers consumers hands-on experience harvesting grapes and blending wine to take home, as well as exclusive access to influential winemakers and chefs who help make Sonoma County Wine Country a world-class destination.

The second annual Sonoma County Grape Camp will take place during the exciting harvest season, Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. Camp highlights include an outdoor vineyard reception dinner overlooking the Dry Creek Valley at Frei Brothers Reserve Winery, featuring a kickoff toast by Gina Gallo, winemaker of Gallo Family Vineyards. Noted chefs Duskie Estes and John Stewart of zazu restaurant and farm will prepare dinner.

Campers will also enjoy a "Cooking with Sonoma Wine" workshop under the direction of renowned Chef/Author John Ash. Other camp activities include a private dinner feast in the Kunde wine caves, and a picnic lunch in Saralee’s Vineyard featuring a top Sonoma cheesemaker and premier coffee roaster, Andrew Barnett, of Ecco Caffe. There will also be visits to Jordan Winery, Tandem Winery, Valdez Family Winery and Francis Ford Coppola Presents Rosso and Bianco Winery.

Featuring a unique consortium of mountains and valleys, coastal breezes and oceanic fog, Sonoma County’s varied topography and climate make it one of the most diverse winegrowing regions in the world. Sonoma County Grape Camp embraces this distinction, offering campers memorable experiences in several growing regions within the county.

"It would be hard for anyone to walk away not understanding Sonoma wines," said one of last year’s participants.

Campers will acquire a deeper understanding of Sonoma County wines and appreciation of what really goes into making great wines there.

Tuition is $1,500 per person for each couple ($200 single supplement) and includes two nights hotel stay at the luxurious Vintners Inn, as well as all meals, seminars, transportation and activities listed on the camp schedule.

There is an optional special all Pinot Noir graduation camp dinner at John Ash & Co prepared by Executive Chef Jeffrey Madura, along with an additional night at the Vintners Inn available at an additional cost.

For further information, the camp schedule and registration, visit www.SonomaGrapeCamp.com or call (707) 522-5860. In addition to the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and Relish Culinary School, other Camp partners include the Sonoma County Vintners and Sonoma County Tourism Bureau.

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. For more information about SCWC and its programs, visit www.sonomawinegrape.org.

Editor’s Note: Contact Larry Levine for camp photos. A very limited number of camper spots are available for media with coverage assignments. Please get in touch with Larry at larry.levine@sonomawinegrape.org for an application.

Ten Finalists from Five Sonoma Winegrape Regions Competed

Gerardo Gonzales (right to left), Francisco Toledo, Arturo Perez and Rosendo Avila

March 3, 2008, Santa Rosa, Calif.—Gerardo Gonzalez of Fosters Wine Estates’Asti Vineyards in Alexander Valley won first place honors Friday at the 9th annual Sonoma County Pruning Championships. He expertly pruned five vines, combining speed and best quality work, and collected $1,100 for his winning efforts. Second place honors went to Francisco Toledo ($550) of Clendenen Vineyard Management in Knights Valley, and third place went to Arturo Perez ($325) of Vimark Vineyards in Alexander Valley. Fourth place was Rosendo Avila ($200) of Emeritus Vineyards in Russian River Valley.

Approximately 200 people attended the event to cheer on the competitors at Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm.

In the celebrity winemaker/vineyard management pruning contest, the team from Alexander Valley beat teams from Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Knights Valley. The team included vineyard managers: John Gauduno, Asti Vineyard, John Tankersley, Trione-Vimark Vineyards and Miguel Maciel, Vimark Vineyards. Winemakers were: Ed Killean, Chateau Souverain, Scot Covington, Trione-Vimark Vineyards, and Ondine Chattan, Geyser Peak Winery.

“This is the biggest pruning event we have ever had,” says Nick Frey, president of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission. “The quality and speed of the pruning was exceptional and it was a great day for both competitors, spectators and sponsors.”

First and second place winners from the recent regional contests advanced to the Sonoma County Championship (listed below). It was produced by the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) and sponsors included Francis Coppola Winery, Vineyard Industry Products, Central Valley Builders Supply and Chris Maloney Crop Insurance.

The purpose of the contest was to showcase the skills of the vineyard employees and to recognize that pruning is the critical start of the 2008 vintage year.

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world.